Little ghetto boy, playing in the ghetto streetWhatcha' gonna do when you grow upAnd have to face responsiblity?Will you spend your days and nights in the pool room?Will you sell caps of madness to the neighborhood?Little ghetto boyYou already know how proud life can be'cause you've seen so much pain and misery

Little ghetto boyYour daddy was blown awayHe robbed that grocery storeDon't you know that was a sad, sad old day?All your young lifeYou've seen such misery and painThe world is a cruel place to liveAnd it ain't gonna changeYou're so youngYou've got so far to go onAnd don't think you'll reach your goalYoung man, little ghetto boy, look at you

Little ghetto boyWhen, when, when you become a menYou can make things change if you just take the standYou gotta believe it yourself in all you doYou've gotta fight to make it betterThen you will see how others will start believing toThen, my son, things will start to get better